The Retirement Newsletter: Planning what to do when I am retired
Issue Number: -102 — Ten things to fill the free time
Welcome
Welcome to issue -102 – filling your retirement free time.
This week, I will look at what I plan to do during what I call 'free time'.
So, what is free time?
To me, 'free time' is when you are not actively doing something connected to your current plan or lifestyle.
For example, say your retirement plan is to travel around the UK in a camper van. What would you do with your time when you're not travelling? That is what I mean by 'free time'.
I must fill my 'free time'; otherwise, I will spend the time sitting in front of the TV watching repeats. And that is not good for physical or mental health.
OK, what I'm talking about is not the big free time fillers, such as volunteering with the local nature group or working as a guide in a museum, but small one or two hours slots. The odd morning or afternoon, when you've got nothing on and nothing obvious to do. How do you feel that time?
This week — 10 things to do to fill your 'free time'.
Ten things to do to fill your 'free time.'
OK, for these ten suggestions, I am assuming you have done your chores — cleaned the house, done the shopping. All the suggested activities are quick to pick up and put down.
1. Read something
OK, so let's get the very obvious one out of the way — read a book or surf the web.
Reading a book or surfing the net is a bit of a no-brainer. It is easy to do, and it is very cheap for books if you use the local library. Surfing the net is a little more expensive as you need a device (computer, tablet, or phone) and a connection.
But, reading is passive. It is not a physical or creative activity. Plus, surfing the net can be as bad as vegging in front of the TV. Who hasn't lost an evening to YouTube?
2. Go for a walk or run
Seems odd, seems obvious, but why not go for a walk to fill some time? Walking is good for your mental and physical health.
You can also use the walk to complete a task. I often walk the mile into town to buy something small (e.g., a birthday card, some milk etc.) that I could order online or buy when I next drive to the shops. The walk is good for my mental and physical health, plus it is good for the environment.
3. Write something — add comments to a blog post or video
If you are filling your time by surfing the net, then why not leave comments on the blogs and videos you watch? You could start by leaving a comment about this newsletter?
Writing is good. It keeps you engaged and keeps the brain ticking over.
4. Write something — start a blog or newsletter
If you want to get into writing, then why not start a newsletter on Substack or post to Medium?
Writing blog posts or newsletters will keep your brain ticking over and give you something to do. My preferred tool for this is Ulysses, a great writing app on the Mac and the iPhone.
5. Write something — keep a journal
If you want to avoid sharing your thoughts or stories with the world, why not start a journal?
I started journaling during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. I have found it a fun activity.
I use an app called Day One. It is quick and easy to use on your phone or Mac. Plus, one of the great features is that it will remind you of what you journaled the previous year. A great feature, lots of fun and a great memory jog.
6. Write something — a book
Writing a book is something I have been doing for about 15 years, and I never seem to finish!
In my case, it is not a work of fiction but a textbook (well, actually two).
In my experience, you need an extended period to work on a book, and I never seem to get the chunks of time I need. So, this is not a great free time filler as it requires a significant amount of continuous free time. But, for example, if you are a summer camper van person, that is, you only use the van in the summer, then why not spend the winter writing a book?
7. Set up a YouTube Channel or share your photos
If you shoot videos or take photos, why not share them online?
It is easy to set up a YouTube channel, and you never know, you might turn into the next YouTube star?
With photos, you can share them on your blog or in a newsletter.
8. Set up an online course
Setting up an online course is an odd one and links in with item 7. If you can shoot and edit videos, then why not think about setting up an online course? You have the life experiences and the skills, so why not do it?
Again, like item 6, setting up a course takes a significant amount of time. But if your winters are free time, why not spend your winters building courses?
9. "Knitting"
OK, a really odd one — particularly as I don't knit. However, I know a surprising number of people who do knit, and, currently, knitting seems quite trendy.
What I am talking about here is not knitting; I am talking about knitting-like activities; hence the quote marks.
For me, "knitting" covers anything quick to pick up and put down. For example, items 3, 4 and 5 above are examples of "knitting". You can write a brief comment on a blog post or video. You can start writing a blog post on your phone and finish it later. I regularly begin or edit blog posts, or create a journal entry, when I am looking for a time filler.
So, what are your "knitting" activities? Leave your suggestions below.
10. And, relax
Now, I said that this was about filling 'free time ‘. But, every so often, you should fill your 'free time' with nothing and relax. And here, I am not talking about having a nap; I mean relaxing. Taking a mindful moment, or (and this is my favourite), turning the lights off and listening to some favourite music and drifting — but not sleeping.
Summary
Hopefully, I have given you a few ideas for free time fillers. And you must fill your free time; otherwise, you might turn into a daytime television zombie.
Anyway, let me know what you think. What are your favourite free-time fillers?
Useful links
UK Government Website:
Next week
Next week I think I will be in a reflective mood as it is my birthday — another year older.
Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter, and please don't hesitate to share it with your friends or on social media using the buttons below.
If you would like to say 'thanks' for the newsletter, why not buy me a cup of tea?
Until next time,
Nick
PS, If you have something you would like to contribute to the newsletter — a story, advice, anything — please get in touch.